President - Samantha Li is graduate of the University of Calgary's Environmental Science Program and has lived in Whitehorse for the past 4 years. She first became affiliated with Climb Yukon as a coach for the Youth Team and still enjoys planning and chaperoning out of territory events for the kids. She has been climbing for over 10 years and competed for 8 years on the Calgary Climbing Centre's Pro team, including multiple Bouldering World Cups. Samantha brings a wealth of individual climbing knowledge to the board as well as a network of relationships with climbing supporters and affiliates. She is the Territories representative of the CEC's athletes commission. Under Samantha's leadership the association successfully developed and implemented its first membership program, website and advanced the public drop in program during the 2019-2020 season. She served as Vice-President on the board for one term and is now in her second term as President.
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Vice President - Sara Bradley is an engineering graduate from the University of Waterloo, Ontario and has operated a structural engineering design business since 2003. She moved to Whitehorse in 2018. Sara learned to climb in the White mountains of Norther New Hampshire in the early 1990's and still loves spending time on rock when she can.On the board, Sara also has the role of Secretary and is heavily involved in the association's finances as co-treasurer.
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Treasurer- Taylor Eshpeter is an engineering graduate from the University of Alberta and has lived and worked in Whitehorse since 2014. He is an avid climber and enjoys sharing his passion for the outdoors with his 2 young children. Taylor has served on the board for three terms as Treasurer.
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Director of Climbing Programs - Kayla Yeulet was born and raised in Whitehorse and was originally introduced to climbing through the City of Whitehorse summer day-camps. After university Kayla lived in the Bow Valley and pursued climbing and mountaineering. She has worked as an ACMG TRCI for Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for 5 years.
In 2018, Kayla moved back to Whitehorse. She is a dedicated swim coach, and loves outdoor climbing, mountain biking, split-boarding, camping, general mountain adventuring and hanging out with Nomic, her adventure pup. Kayla has extensive experience in youth programming and writes policy for the Yukon Government. |
Director of New Facility Development - Charles Kalinsky was inspired by climbing at a young age when visiting his older cousins living close to Red River Gorge Kentucky. He was drawn to the problem solving, camaraderie, physicality and pure adventure found in climbing. Over the years he has grown into the sport trying bouldering, trad, sport, ice and alpine climbing. He has volunteered in the Yukon climbing community for the last four years: top rope nights, trail maintenance, and crag clean-ups. His favorite place to climb in Yukon is Paint Mountain!
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Director of Community Engagement - Lauren Ray grew up in her parent's climbing gym in Nelson, BC, and has climbed for over 20 years. She has travelled nationally and internationally to climb, sampling all sorts of stone and styles. Lauren is a Recreation Therapist and is currently completing her Master of Science at the University of Alberta where she is exploring the role of leisure and recreation in supporting women’s mental health during COVID-19. Lauren brings a wide range of experience including funding and sponsorship, community engagement, research, and is passionate about making outdoor recreation spaces more inclusive and accessible.
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Director of Communications - Lee McDonald is a graduate of the University of Alberta Augustana Campus. During his time in University, he was able to develop a passion for canoeing and backcountry adventure through outdoor education and leadership courses while attaining a Bachelor of Management. However, it wasn’t until he moved to the Yukon that he was able to develop a love for rock climbing. It is Lee’s goal to help newcomers to climbing feel just as welcome as he did when he first moved to Whitehorse.
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